Detecting device



April 28, 1942. p, NAES 2,281,373

DETECTING DEVICE -Filed Oct. 25, Y1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l u a a o o o a u a n o u a n o a o c o n o o o u o o o o o0 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. P. NAES DETECTING DEVICE April 28, 1942.

April 28, 1942. J. P. NAES DETECTING DEVICE 4 sheets-sheet s Filed Oct. 25, 1939 J. P. NAES DETECTING DEVICE April z8, 1942.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25, 19349 a Ifll I+ a. w w K W AY f 0000 /moooo 00000 00000 00000 00 0 00000 000.00 00000 000.00 @100000 00000 100000 `00000 00000 000 0\uo000 00000 00000 0000 r a. 9 8 w ,WW 5 4.\ 3 Z N0 r 00000 ooaoornloyk\a\oooo^wdooo0o 00000 ooooa ooooo ooooo 00000 00000 ooocol/*ooooo 0000 0 000 00000 00000 00000 00000 al al www@ 00000 00000 00000 00000 0000 00000 0.0000 00000 0000 @00000 00000 00000 00000 0n00o\00000 00000 00000 00000 N000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00 00 00000 00000. 000.00 00000 00000 00000 00000. 00000 000030 00 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 a .a /obooo 00000 00000 ouen loldo 00000 00000 ooooo 00000 0000 00000 00000 00000 0o0a0\\w0000 00000 00000 00000 c0000 woooo 00000 00000 00000 0o A^m\00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 0 eooooooo 00000 00000 00000 0 000 00000 a f \.l @100000 0000.0 0000 0000 00000 00000 000:00 00000 00000 0000 00000 00000 00000 \0000 00000 00000 00000 00000 000 0\0000 dv 00000 00000 0o 0 @aan 06000 oowaoo 0o0\0 00000 00000 00000 00000 o aon oyen oo o 000Mo 00o a @avec conan M 00000 00000 0000 00000 00\o0 00o 0 000 00.00 00000 00000 00000\00ao0 00.000 oao 000%00 .00000/ 0000 00000 00000 000 0 00000 ODGDDOO oawwmv 0000 0000 00000 $0 00000 o ooo ooooo econo/ooge uhwoc ooooo 1000 ooooo 00000 0000 00000 00000 00000 000,00 00000 0000 00000 O0O\00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 000K 00000 00000 W 8 7 5 A Z l y 0 000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 0 00 00000 00000 a 0 O00 0000.0 00000 00000 00000 00000 0 O0 00000 00000 Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED STATS OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to detecting devices; and it is specially designed for use in detecting and identifying numbers and symbols in general use on securities, currency, license plates of motor vehicles, etc.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a device of such dimensions and capacity that it may be conveniently mounted on discs or stands for use in oilices, or in automobiles and used by law enforcement oicers or others in detecting or identifying motor vehicles and the like, and including a series of rows of digital keys or switches arranged in denominational orders in the form of a keyboard, whereby dierent numbers may be indicated or represented on the keyboard comprising said keys or switches as, for instance, numbers corresponding to the numbers under observation, in combination with mechanism operative under control of said. keys or switches to operate a signal when keys or switches corresponding to a license plate ninnber being sought are operated, thereby indicating to the observer that the numbered article sought has been located and observed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detecting device including series of denominational rows of digital keys or switches including in each row ten switches corresponding to the ten digits so that switches representing various numbers may be optionally closed, in combination with electrical mechanism adapted to be operated into circuit with said switches to operate a signal when the switches corresponding to a number represented by said keys are closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved detecting device including series of keys or switches having ten thereof arranged in each of a plurality of denominational orders or rows, devices corresponding to said respective denominational orders or rows associated with mechanism for establishing electrical communication through said respective keys or switches to operate a signal when keys or switches corresponding to an observed number and to settable l parts of said mechanism are closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism of this character for operating a signal to indicate the fact when switches corresponding to electrically connected depressible keys are closed.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a combined plan and diagrammatic View showing essential features of the invention in a machine adapted for use in detecting any of a wide range of numbers.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View showing one of the settable devices cooperating with the depressible keys or switches for closing electrical circuits to operate a signal.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the keyboard showing a denominational row of keys therein, a part of the electrical mechanism being diagrammatically shown.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the keyboard on the line ll-Il of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of a portion of the electrical mechanism that functions under control of the denominational rows of keys in the keyboard.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a keyboard containing denominational rows of digit keys, as in Fig. l, showing another form of electric mechanism controlled by the keys for operating a signal when keys according to a predetermined number are operated.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of one of the denominational rows of keys in the keyboard of the type shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of a complete keyboard device shown in Fig. 6.

lIhe invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, comprises a series of rows of keys Il arranged in denominational orders in the form of a keyboard assembly. The stems I2 of these keys eX- tend for sliding movements through a metallic plate I3 and through a plate I4 of electrically non-conductive material. The plate I3 constitutes an electrical ground I5. There are ten keys I I in each denominational row of keys, and said keys have digits I 6 displayed thereon consecutively from one end of the respective rows bearing the character "0 to the opposite ends of said rows bearing the character 9. There may be any number of denominational rows of keys according to the requirements of the uses for which the invention is intended. Also, when desired, different symbols or characters may be provided on the keys I I, or other equivalent keys, and I do not restrict the invention to use of the numeral digits.

A latch bar I9 extends through slots 2D in the stems I2 of each denominational row of keys Il, and said latch bars are provided with hooks 2l adapted to engage in holes 22 in the respective stems I2 to hold said keys depressed in opposition to their springs 23, and formed to permit easy depression of the various keys. Depression of any key will release the latch bar 2| from any other key in the same denominational row. Upward movement of the stems I2 is limited by shoulders 24 thereon engaging against the underside of the plate I3, The latch bars I2 are mounted for longitudinal movement in guides 25 and are actuated longitudinally in one direction by springs 26 (Fig. 3). A pivoted bail device 21 engages the forward ends of the latch bars I9 and is operative by a lever or key 23 to move all of the latch bars i9 rearwardly in opposition to the springs 23 far enough to release the hooks 2| from the holes 22 in any depressed keys. When the latch bars I9 are thus released from any depressed keys II, said depressed keys are immediately raised to their unoperated positions by their springs 23.

Resilient electrical contact members 29 for the respective metallic stems I2 are attached to the underside of the panel Ill. When the stems I2 are yieldingly held in their uppermost positions by the springs 23, said stems are out of contact with the members 23; and, when the keys |I are depressed, the stems i2 of the depressed keys Contact with the corresponding contact members 29 (Fig. 3). Conductor wires 3B lead from connection with the contact members 29 of each denominational row of keys i I to connection with respective metallic brushes 3| attached to an insulation support 32. Thus, for units denominational row of keys I I, ten wires 33 extend to connection with respective brushes 3| attached in spaced relationship to the insulation support 32 so that said brushes 3| are out of electrical com- I are mounted in axial alinernent on insulation supports 34 attached to a shaft35 and extending between adjacent ends of adjacent cylinders. These supports 34 insulate the cylinders from each other and from the shaft 35 (Fig. 5). The

cylinders 33 are formed with circumferential series of longitudinal rows of holes 33. There are ten holes in each longitudinal row of holes 36 in the cylinders 33 in complementary arrangement to the electrical brushes 3|. Thus, there are ten keys II in each denominational row; ten brushes 3| arranged for electrical connection with the stems of the keys I I when said keys are depressed and arranged in a longitudinal row adjacent to the corresponding cylinder 33; and there are ten holes in each longitudinal row `36 movable opposite the respective brushes 3| when the cylinders are rotated.

The insulation supports 3d are attached to the shaft 35 for rotation thereby. A worm gear or the like 3'! is attached tothe sha-ft 35 and is engaged by a worm device 38 rotated by the shaft of an electric motor 39. A wire 4e connects the motor with one side of the battery 4 I, and a conductor 42 including a switch 43 connects'the opposite side of said battery with the motor. The switch 43 is operative to open and to close the circuit and thereby control operation of the motor. From thatside of the battery .4| with which the conductor 42 is connected, a conductor 44 leads'through the lament of a lamp H5, through an audible signal device 45 to the ground I5, from which a conductor 41 leads to the movable part of a polarized relay 43. From one pole of the relay 4B a conductor 49 leads to a battery having electrical connection 5| with the wire 44.

Electrical contact plugs 52 are insertable in and withdrawable from the holes 36 selectively. The brushes 3| do not contact with the cylinders 33, but are spaced therefrom so that said brushes are normally out of electrical communication with said cylinders (Fig. 2). The Contact plugs 52 project beyond the cylinders 33 far enough to move against the complementary brushes 3| during rotation of the cylinders on which said jacks are mounted. In the specific arrangement shown, -the brushes 3| of each group are in the sequence from 0 at the extreme left to 9 at the extreme right of the group. This arrangement may be varied without departure from the invention. Numbers may be set up on the cylinders 33 optionally by locating the contact plugs 52 inthe holes 3E. If the number to be set up contains a single digit in units denominational order, the contact plug 52 is inserted in a hole 36 corresponding to that digit. If the digit is 9, for instance, the contact plug 52 is inserted in a hole 36 at the extreme right of the units cylinder 33; if the digit is 4, for instance, the contact plug 52 is inserted in the fifth hole from the left, and so on. When the number to be set up comprises two or more denominational orders, plugs 52 are set in proper holes in longitudinally alined rows of holes 3B in as many adjacent cylinders 33 as there are denominational orders in the number to be set up; and plugs are set in the zero holes of alined rows of holes 33 in the cylinders 33 toward higher denominational orders beyond the highest denominational order of the number set up.

Wires 53 connect the respective cylinders 33 with metallic rings 56. The rings 54 are attached to an insulation support 5E (Fig. 5) secured to the shaft 35, and are out of electrical communication with each other. Brushes 55 contact with the respective rings 5G and are attached to an insulation support 5| (Fig. i). Wires 58 lead from the respective brushesl 53 to one side of corresponding magnetic relays 53, the opposite sides of which are connected with a conductor 5!) leading to that side of the battery dI with which the conductor llt) is connected. When a number is set on the keyboard by depression of the denominational digit keys I I and the corresponding contact plugs 52 engage the brushes 3|, the relays 59 are energized and the circuit through the conductors 3| is closed by operation of the relay element 62 .into electrical communication with the respective conductors EI. A wire S3 from units relay 59 leads to one side 54. of a switch device 65. The side Ell of the switch 65 has electrical connection ES with that side of the polarized relay'48 that is connected with the wire B9. A battery 6'! of the type indicated is connected with the side 54 ofthe switch (S5 and also with the opposite side 38 of said switch from which a wire 59 leads to connection with the wire S3 and the polarized relay t3. From the highest denominational relayg -the conductor lli, corresponding to the remaining conductors 3|, leads to connection with the side B8 oi the switch The side Bil of said switchhas electrical connection'll with the opposite sideof thepolarized relay 63 from the connection therewith of the'wires 66 and 63.

In order to condition the device 'for use after the numbers plugs 52 have been properly set in the respective cylinders 33 as described, the switch 43 is closed to operate .the motor 3,9, and the switch 65 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1 to energize the relay 48 through the connection 69. The circuit through the relay 48 is closed so that, when keys I I corresponding to any number represented by the digit Contact plugs 52 are depressed to close the circuits therefrom through the conductors 30, the relay elements 62 will be operated by the relays 59 to close the circuit through 8l and 'lil to operate the signals 45 and 48. This is because the circuit through the relay 48 is closed when the circuits from the keys II through the wires 30 and the plugs 52 are closed. The circuit through the relay 48 remains closed and the signals 45 and 46 continue to operate until the switch 65 is moved to open the circuit at the side 58 and close the circuit at the side 84 of said switch. When the circuit from the side 68 of this switch to the relay 48 is deenergized and the circuit to the opposite side of said relay through 'II is energized, the relay switch is opened and the signals are stopped.

It will thus be apparent that a very large range of different numbers may be set up on the cylinders 33, the only limitation being that no two numbers be set up entirely in the same alined rows of holes 35. The checking and detecting can be rapidly performed without the necessity of observing different records and comparing one with the other. This is because the comparison is automatically made as an incident to depression of the keys Ii to set up thereon any suspected number. If the suspected number that is set up on the keys i I corresponds to any number that is set up by the plugs 52 on the cylinders 33, a correct number is detected and located. On the other hand. if the depressed keys I I do not represent any number that is set up by the plugs 52, no signal will be given.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs, 6, 7, and 8, a series of rows of depressible keys 'i2 are arranged in denominational orders in the form of a keyboard assembly similar to the arrangement of the keysll. The metal stems 'I3 of the keys 'l2 extend for sliding movements through metallic guiding plates 'I4 and '15. The keys 72 are actuated upwardly to their unoperated positions by springs '18, extent of upward movement being limited by collars 'VI that are attached to the stems 'I3 and which engage against the underside of the plate 14. 'I'here are ten keys 'I2 in each denominational row of keys having digits 18 displayed thereon consecutively from one end of the respective rows having the character to the opposite ends of said rows bearing the digit "9. There may be any number of denominational rows of these keys to meet the requirements of the uses to which the respective devices are to be applied.

A latch bar 'i9 extends through slots 80 in the stems 'i3 of each denominational row of keys 72. These bars have hooks 8I adapted to engage in holes 82 in the respective stems 'I3 to hold said keys depressed in opposition to their springs 76 and formed to permit easy depression of the keys. Depression of any key will release the latch bar 'I9 from any other key in the same denominational row. Said latch bars 'I9 are mounted for longitudinal movements in guides 83 and are actuated longitudinally in one direction by springs 84. A pivoted bail device 85 engages the forward ends of the latch bars 'I9 and is operative by a release key 35 to move all of the latch bars i9 rearwardly in opposition to the springs 84 to release the hooks 8i from latching engagement in the holes 82 of any depressed keys. When' the latch bars 'i9 are thus released from any depressed keys, the latter are immediately raised to their unoperated positions by their springs 78.

vA pair of insulation strips 87 is attached to and operated by each key stem '53. In the arrangement shown, each insulation strip 81 has attached thereto an upper pair of brushes 88, an intermediate pair of brushes 89, and a lower pair of brushes 95, all of which are insulated from each other. For each upper pair of brushes 83, four contact members 5I, 92, 93 and 94 are mounted on an adjacent insulation support for each intermediate pair of brushes 89, four contact members 98, S'i, 98 and 55 are mounted on said adjacent insulation support 95; and for each lower pair of brushes Sil, two contact members It!) and II are mounted on said adjacent insulation support 55. The respective contact members QI at one side of each row of keys 'I3 have electrical connection m2 with sockets |03; the contact members SL' have electrical connection IM with sockets |55; the contact members 93 have electrical connection Ii with sockets 157; the contact members 54 have electrical connection 08 with sockets IGS; the contact members 95 have electrical connection Mil with sockets III; the contact members 5'! have electrical connection H2 with sockets I i3; the contact members S8 have electrical connection H4 with sockets H5; the contact members 58 have electrical connection IE6 with sockets Ii'I; the contact members Iiil have electrical connection l I8 with sockets H9; and the contact members IilI have electrical connection t28 with sockets I2I.

The contact members 9i, 52, etc. at the opposite side of each row of keys have similar electrical connections with complementary sockets designated by the same reference numerals with exponents. The sockets that are electrically connected with Said contact members are preferably arranged in rows on a supporting insulation panel I22, there being two rows of sockets for the contact members 9i, 52, etc. at one side of each key, and two rows of 4complementary sockets for the Contact members at the opposite side of each key. Therefore, depression of any key 12, excepting the keys in units denominational order and the keys in highest denominational order, places its stem 'I3 in electrical communication with twenty diierent sockets in the speciic embodiment of the invention shown for illustrative purposes; although it will be understood that the number of sockets may be varied as desired without departure from the principle of the invention. For the keys in units denominational order, two rows of sockets I23, corresponding to the two rows of sockets 83, I 85, etc., are provided; and, for the row of keys in highest denominational order, two rows of sockets |24, corresponding to the two rows of sockets ID3', I 65', etc., are provided.

A battery |25 has electrical connection |26 through a signal |21 with sockets I28 adjacent to the sockets |23 for the keys of units denominational order. The sockets 1:26 are electrically connected in series so that, when any units key is depressed, it is placed in electrical communication with the battery. The battery 25 has electrical connection I2@ with sockets I 38 adjacent to the sockets I24 for the keys in highest denominational order. The sockets |30 are electrically connected in series so that, When any key in highest denominational order on the keyboard is depressed, it is placed in electrical communication with the battery. Sockets in the various series of sockets for the keys in the different denominational orders may be electrically connected by contact plug devices |3| insertable in and Withdravvable from the sockets |03, |65, etc., or |83', |05', etc., from the sockets |23 to the sockets |24 to form complete circuits when keys corresponding to these electrically connected sockets are depressed.

As shown in Fig. 8, the contact plugs are connected with sockets to form two numbers which are to be checked or detected by depression of the keys 12. The series of contact plugs A are plugged in to form the number 3456789, reading from right to left of Fig. 8, which represents the base or contact plug board inverted. The series of contact connections B represent the number 323, electrical communication with the connection |29 being formed through 0 keys, as shown. When keys 'l2 corresponding to either of these numbers are depressed, complete electrical circuits are formed and the signal device |27 is operated to indicate the fact that the number being sought is that number which is being observed and Which corresponds to the depressed keys.

The invention may ce varied in other particulars so that signals may be operated when keys of predetermined value are depressed. It should be apparent Afrom the preceding description and annexed drawings that the invention is capable i".

of wide variation Without departure from the nature and principle thereof,

I claim:

l. A detecting device comprising a series of denominational rows of keys movable from uni operated to operated positions and vice versa, means ior holding said keys in their operated positions, a signalling device, a movable contact carrier, manually settable contacts arranged on said carrier, means for establishing electrical communication from said contacts to said signalling device during movement of said carrier, means controlled by said keys regulating electrical communication from said contacts to said signalling device and causing operation of said signalling device when said keys are in their operated positions during movement of said carrier, and other means controlling duration of operation of said signalling device after operation thereof has been initiated by depression of keys complementary to said contacts and of thesame denominational and digital value.

2. A detecting device comprising a series of denominational rows of keys movable from unoperated to operated positions and vice versa, a movable contact carrier, a number of contacts settable in positions on said carrier corresponding to digital and denominational values, means controlled by said keys for establishing electrical communication to said contacts, a signalling device, and a switch controlling operation oisaid signalling device when keys of the same digital and denominational value of a series of contacts are operated.

3. A detecting device comprising a series vof denominational rows of keys movable from unoperated to operated positions and vice versa, a movable contact carrier, a'number of `contacts settable in positions on said carrier corresponding to digital and denominational values, means controlled by said keys for establishing electrical communication to said contacts, a signalling device,and a switch controlling operation of said signalling device When keys of the same digital and denominational value of a series of contacts are operated and also controlling duration of operation of said signalling device irrespective of wether said keys are returned to unoperated positions or not.

4. A detecting device comprising a series of denominational rows of keys movable from unoperated to operated positions and vice versa, a rotary contact carrier, a number of contacts settable in positions on said carrier corresponding to digital and denominational values, means controlled by said keys for establishing electrical communication to said contacts, a signalling device, a switch controlling operation of said signalling device when keys of the same digital and denominational value of a series of contacts are operated and also controlling duration of operation of said signalling device irrespective of Whether said keys are returned to unoperated positions or not, and devices for releasing said holding means from said keys and returning said keys to their unoperated positions.

5. A detecting device comprising a source of electrical energy, a signalling device, a series of rotary cylinders having sockets arranged in denominational orders respectively, a series of contacts adjustable in said sockets to represent numbers, electrical circuits controllable by said contacts during rotation of said cylinders to operate said signalling device, a series of denominational rows of keys, means controlled by said keys for conditioning said circuits for effective operation of said contacts by said cylinders to cause operation of said signalling device as aforesaid, means for continuing operation of said signalling device irrespective of the positions of said contacts after operation of said signalling device has been initiated by said contacts, and optional means for stopping further operation of said signalling device.

6.A detecting device comprising a source of .electrical energy, a signalling device, a series of rotary cylinders having sockets therein, electrical connections for operating said signalling device,

a series of contacts adjustable in said sockets for cooperation with said connections to cause operation of said signalling device, and a series oi denominational rows of keys for conditioning said electrical connections for effective operation `of `said contacts.

7. A detecting device comprising a source of electrical energy, a signalling device, a series oi .rotary cylinders having sockets therein, electrical connections for operating said signalling device, a series of contacts adjustable in said sockets for Vcooperation with said connections to cause oper- `said signalling device has been initiated as aforesaid, and an optionally operative device for disabling said electrical means and thereby stopping operation of said signalling device.

8. A detecting device comprising a source of 4electrical energy, a series of rotary cylinders 4corresponding to denominational orders and each having series of sockets therein corresponding 'respectively `to the numeral digits, a signalling device, electrical connections for operating said signalling device, a series of contacts adjustable in said sockets to represent numbers and establish electrical communication through said connections to said signalling device and to operate the latter, and a series of denominational rows of keys movable manually from unoperated to operated positions to condition said electrical connections for elective operation of said contacts.

9. A detecting device comprising a source of electrical energy, a series of rotary cylinders corresponding to denominational orders and each having series of sockets therein corresponding respectively to the numeral digits, a signalling device, electrical connections for operating said signalling device, a series of contacts adjustable in said sockets to represent numbers and establish electrical communication through said connections to said signalling device and to operate the latter, a series of denominational rows of keys movable manually from unoperated to operated positions to condition said electrical connections for effective operation of said contacts, mechanism for returning said keys to their unoperated positions, and electrical means for continuing operation of said signalling device irrespective of the positions of said keys and said contacts after operation of said signalling device has been initiated.

10. A detecting device comprising a source of electrical energy, a signalling device, a series of rotary cylinders arranged in denominational orders and each having series of sockets corresponding respectively to the numerical digits, mechanism for rotating said cylinders, electrical connections for operating said signalling device, series of contacts adjustable in denominational orders in said sockets to represent various numbers and for energizing said electrical connections to operate said signalling device, a series of denominational rows of digit keys movable from unoperated to operated positions to condition said electrical connections for effective operation of said contacts to operate said signalling device when digit keys corresponding to any number represented by said contacts are operated, and optional means for stopping operation of said signalling device after operation thereof has been initiated as aforesaid.

JOSEPH P. NAES. 

